Okay, is it just me, or have food prices gone straight through the roof? I feel like some kind of archaic dinosaur hobbling down the aisles with an imaginary cane and a crotchety attitude, squinting to try and read the prices on the shelves, then really grimacing when their numerical value metaphorically slaps me in the face. It seems as though I must have taken several years off from price comparison because I am currently shocked and offended by the cost of just about everything in the stores!
Today my husband and I visited Mom's Organic Market in Jessup, Maryland for the first time. I have known about this store, and thought it was a bit far to travel, but a student recently recommended we check out their produce section in particular. I have also recently been to David's, which is another natural food store in Columbia, Maryland, so I can readily compare the two. I used to shop quite regularly at Roots, which is located in Clarksville, Maryland. These stores all carry pretty much the same array of natural and organic products, although the shopping experience at each varies greatly.
Starting with my most recent, I did find the produce section at Mom's to be very impressive. The selection was fabulous. I purchased lacinato kale (a.k.a. Black Tuscan or dinosaur at $2.99/bunch) which is not always available at Trader Joe's, where I normally shop. And I doubt I'd ever find it at Costco! This is by far my favorite type of kale. I always try to grow it but the insects love it just as much as me. I also found Pink Lady Apples ($2.99/pound) which are my daughter's favorite. The purple cabbage was $1.49 per pound. And I picked up a couple of sweet onions for my pickle-making projects. All of the produce was organic and all of it looked absolutely beautiful, fresh, clean, and inviting. And I would have to say the same about the whole store. This was a place that I would be happy to frequent. Frequently. The aisles are WIDE which in my book is a huge plus. The floors are gleaming clean. Despite the distance from my house, and prices that make my hair stand straight up on end, I will plan to make Mom's a regular stop on my shopping excursions.
David's Natural Market was quite the opposite experience. Although the store has expanded numerous times to include not just a large supplements section, a "fresh" produce section, and also a "cafe" where you can sit and eat ready-made sandwiches, salads, and other quick meals, the place feels extremely cramped. The aisles are very narrow. And the entire store has a shabby, run-down, less-than-clean feeling. The produce was so terribly sad-looking that I quickly exited that section of the store without being tempted by a single thing. The handful of items we did purchase were scary expensive: over $30 for a 16.9 ounce bottle of Carlson's fish oil! Next time we will order this product online. Mr. Balancing Act and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. I will be avoiding David's in the future.
Unfortunately, I can't really update you all on the conditions and prices at Roots Market as it has been years since I have shopped there. I am certainly not avoiding the place, but I simply don't travel in that direction for any reason and don't feel the need to make a separate trip. If my memory serves me, Roots is not quite as cramped as David's, and has always seemed fairly clean. They carry cookbooks, pottery, and kitchen paraphernalia in addition to food, supplements, and natural beauty products. Perhaps for the sake of this blog, I should plan a visit soon!
Now that we have the brand-new enormous Wegman's in Columbia, I don't know how well these smaller businesses are going to fare. I am waiting until the crowds die down to visit the new Wegman's. When I do, I'll have to fill you all in. In the meantime, feel free to leave me a comment about where you prefer to shop and why. Do you go for the best prices? The biggest selection? Organic stuff? The friendliest staff? Let me know!
hocofood@@@
Today my husband and I visited Mom's Organic Market in Jessup, Maryland for the first time. I have known about this store, and thought it was a bit far to travel, but a student recently recommended we check out their produce section in particular. I have also recently been to David's, which is another natural food store in Columbia, Maryland, so I can readily compare the two. I used to shop quite regularly at Roots, which is located in Clarksville, Maryland. These stores all carry pretty much the same array of natural and organic products, although the shopping experience at each varies greatly.
Starting with my most recent, I did find the produce section at Mom's to be very impressive. The selection was fabulous. I purchased lacinato kale (a.k.a. Black Tuscan or dinosaur at $2.99/bunch) which is not always available at Trader Joe's, where I normally shop. And I doubt I'd ever find it at Costco! This is by far my favorite type of kale. I always try to grow it but the insects love it just as much as me. I also found Pink Lady Apples ($2.99/pound) which are my daughter's favorite. The purple cabbage was $1.49 per pound. And I picked up a couple of sweet onions for my pickle-making projects. All of the produce was organic and all of it looked absolutely beautiful, fresh, clean, and inviting. And I would have to say the same about the whole store. This was a place that I would be happy to frequent. Frequently. The aisles are WIDE which in my book is a huge plus. The floors are gleaming clean. Despite the distance from my house, and prices that make my hair stand straight up on end, I will plan to make Mom's a regular stop on my shopping excursions.
David's Natural Market was quite the opposite experience. Although the store has expanded numerous times to include not just a large supplements section, a "fresh" produce section, and also a "cafe" where you can sit and eat ready-made sandwiches, salads, and other quick meals, the place feels extremely cramped. The aisles are very narrow. And the entire store has a shabby, run-down, less-than-clean feeling. The produce was so terribly sad-looking that I quickly exited that section of the store without being tempted by a single thing. The handful of items we did purchase were scary expensive: over $30 for a 16.9 ounce bottle of Carlson's fish oil! Next time we will order this product online. Mr. Balancing Act and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. I will be avoiding David's in the future.
Unfortunately, I can't really update you all on the conditions and prices at Roots Market as it has been years since I have shopped there. I am certainly not avoiding the place, but I simply don't travel in that direction for any reason and don't feel the need to make a separate trip. If my memory serves me, Roots is not quite as cramped as David's, and has always seemed fairly clean. They carry cookbooks, pottery, and kitchen paraphernalia in addition to food, supplements, and natural beauty products. Perhaps for the sake of this blog, I should plan a visit soon!
Now that we have the brand-new enormous Wegman's in Columbia, I don't know how well these smaller businesses are going to fare. I am waiting until the crowds die down to visit the new Wegman's. When I do, I'll have to fill you all in. In the meantime, feel free to leave me a comment about where you prefer to shop and why. Do you go for the best prices? The biggest selection? Organic stuff? The friendliest staff? Let me know!
hocofood@@@
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